Iraq – 55% Shia, 45% Sunni
Saddam Hussein was a Sunni from Tikrit, part of the famous Sunni Triangle. After Saddam was removed and executed, the majority of people in the government were Shia. Iraq and Iran had a two-decade war during Saddam’s rule.
Saddam’s army retreated to their homes in the Sunni Triangle with arms and ammunition after the U.S. started bombing Iraq post-9/11. They resisted U.S. forces even after Saddam was captured.
ISIS – After the Shia-led government took over in Iraq, Sunni groups joined hands with Al-Qaeda to form ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The fighters are predominantly Sunni, many of whom were part of Saddam’s army and supported by Al-Qaeda funding.
Many senior leaders of ISIS are former members of Saddam’s Baath Party. ISIS is a “spectral hold-over” of the old regime, where “secular” Baathism has reemerged under the guise of Islamic fundamentalism. ISIS later rebranded itself as HTS.
Iran – With a Shia-majority population (90%), Iran opposes ISIS, which is predominantly Sunni.
Syria – Syria, dominated by a Sunni majority, provided local support for ISIS, which sought to establish a more radical government.
Turkey – Predominantly Sunni, Turkey has shown support for radical groups with ties to ISIS.
Looking at this entire conflict, it began in the Sunni Triangle (Baghdad, Ramadi, and Tikrit), where Saddam was born. The seeds of ISIS and radicalism were sown here.
For those unfamiliar with the Gulf War II, understanding the origins of ISIS (now rebranded as HTS) requires revisiting these events.
Modern-day media must delve deeper to truly understand the complexities of this conflict.
